Instagram has added Lite app support for its popular video-making service Reels. Instagram said that the Lite app support is exclusively for the Indian market. The new development means Indian users will be able to view Reels within the Instagram Lite app. The app is a lighter version of Instagram. It comes with limited features and takes less space. It is suitable for slow internet connections and devices with less space. Instagram’s statement said that people using the Lite app can see the Reels in the Reels tab. The Lite support comes within a year of the launch of Reels. Reels are gaining traction in the Indian market and therefore Instagram favored the early adoption of the Lite app.
Instagram started testing the Lite app support in December last year. The testing was expedited and limited to the Indian market. The aim was to provide users with an application that is less than 2MB but offers a good Instagram experience. Instagram said Reel’s support on the Lite app is reliable and will attract more users. It promised an experience similar to the main Instagram app. The company said that the Instagram Lite app is available for download on the Play Store. The latest available version is 238.0.0.8.12. Notably, Instagram Lite is not available on iOS. The company is yet to launch an App Store version.
In another related development, Instagram said that it is changing its algorithm to push for more original content on Reels. It said that the amended algorithm will check the use of recycled content on Reels from other services. The Facebook-owned service said that it is against the company policy to allow watermarked videos from other services on Reels. The algorithm will prevent users from sharing such content. The company spotted a rise in sharing of TikTok videos on Reels. Scores of videos with TikTok written on them were seen circulating in large numbers. Instagram said that it will remove all such videos from the platform. Reel’s popularity in the Indian market is attributed to the government’s decision to ban the hugely popular Chinese app TikTok due to national security concerns.
